Scraper assembly of an agricultural row unit

ABSTRACT

A scraper assembly of an agricultural row unit includes an inner scraper configured to engage an inner surface of a disc. The scraper assembly also includes a biasing member engaged with the inner scraper and configured to urge the inner scraper toward the inner surface of the disc. In addition, the inner scraper has an engagement feature configured to contact an outer scraper to block translational movement of the inner scraper relative to a frame of the agricultural row unit.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a scraper assembly of anagricultural row unit.

Generally, planting implements (e.g., planters) are towed behind atractor or other work vehicle via a mounting bracket secured to a rigidframe of the implement. Planting implements typically include multiplerow units distributed across a width of the implement. Each row unit isconfigured to deposit seeds at a desired depth beneath the soil surfaceof a field, thereby establishing rows of planted seeds. For example,each row unit typically includes a ground engaging tool or opener thatforms a seeding path (e.g., trench) for seed deposition into the soil.An agricultural product conveying system (e.g., seed tube or poweredagricultural product conveyor) is configured to deposit seeds and/orother agricultural products (e.g., fertilizer) into the trench. Theopener/agricultural product conveying system is followed by closingdiscs that move displaced soil back into the trench and/or a packerwheel that packs the soil on top of the deposited seeds/otheragricultural products.

Certain row units include a scraper assembly having an outer scraperconfigured to remove accumulated soil from an outer surface of theground engaging tool/opener. For example, the ground engagingtool/opener may include an opener disc, and soil may accumulate on theouter surface of the opener disc during formation of the seedingpath/trench. Accordingly, the outer scraper of the scraper assembly maycontact the outer surface of the opener disc, thereby removingaccumulated soil from the outer surface of the opener disc duringformation of the seeding path/trench. The frame of the row unit may beconfigured to receive the outer scraper, thereby enabling the outerscraper to be mounted to the frame. Soil may also accumulate on theinner surface of the opener disc during operation of the row unit.However, certain row units have a frame that is not configured toreceive an inner scraper (e.g., the frame does not include a mountingsystem for an inner scraper). Unfortunately, adding an inner scraper tosuch a row unit may be expensive (e.g., the frame may be replaced with aframe configured to receive an inner scraper), or may involve a complexand time-consuming process (e.g., the frame may be modified to receivean inner scraper).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In certain embodiments, a scraper assembly of an agricultural row unitincludes an inner scraper configured to engage an inner surface of adisc. The scraper assembly also includes a biasing member engaged withthe inner scraper and configured to urge the inner scraper toward theinner surface of the disc. In addition, the inner scraper has anengagement feature configured to contact an outer scraper to blocktranslational movement of the inner scraper relative to a frame of theagricultural row unit.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an agriculturalimplement having multiple row units distributed across a width of theagricultural implement;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a row unit that may beemployed on the agricultural implement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the row unit of FIG. 2,including an embodiment of a scraper assembly;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the scraper assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the scraper assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the scraper assembly ofFIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a portion of the scraper assembly of FIG.3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed below. In an effort to provide a concise description of theseembodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not bedescribed in the specification. It should be appreciated that in thedevelopment of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering ordesign project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madeto achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance withsystem-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from oneimplementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that sucha development effort might be complex and time consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, andmanufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended tomean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Anyexamples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are notexclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an agriculturalimplement 10 (e.g., planting implement) having multiple row units 12distributed across a width of the agricultural implement 10. Theagricultural implement 10 is configured to be towed through a fieldbehind a work vehicle, such as a tractor. As illustrated, theagricultural implement 10 includes a tongue assembly 14, which includesa hitch configured to couple the agricultural implement 10 to anappropriate tractor hitch (e.g., via a ball, clevis, or other coupling).The tongue assembly 14 is coupled to a tool bar 16 which supportsmultiple row units 12. Each row unit 12 may include one or more openerdiscs configured to form a seed path (e.g., trench) within soil of afield. The row unit 12 may also include an agricultural productconveying system (e.g., seed tube or powered agricultural productconveyer) configured to deposit seeds and/or other agriculturalproduct(s) (e.g., fertilizer) into the seed path/trench. In addition,the row unit 12 may include closing disc(s) and/or a packer wheelpositioned behind the agricultural product conveying system. The closingdisc(s) are configured to move displaced soil back into the seedpath/trench, and the packer wheel is configured to pack soil on top ofthe deposited seeds/other agricultural product(s).

During operation of the row units 12, clumps of soil may accumulate onthe opener discs (e.g., due to moist soil conditions, etc.).Accordingly, in certain embodiments, at least one row unit 12 mayinclude a scraper assembly configured to remove accumulated soil fromthe opener disc(s) as the opener disc(s) form the seed path/trench. Asdiscussed in detail below, the scraper assembly may include an innerscraper engaged with an inner surface of the opener disc and configuredto remove accumulated soil from the inner surface of the opener disc,and the scraper assembly may include an outer scraper engaged with anouter surface of the opener disc and configured to remove accumulatedsoil from the outer surface of the opener disc. The outer scraper may becoupled to a frame of the row unit, and a biasing member of the scraperassembly may engage the inner scraper and urge the inner scraper towardthe inner surface of the opener disc. In addition, the inner scraper mayhave an engagement feature (e.g., at least one protrusion) configured tocontact the outer scraper to block translation movement of the innerscraper relative to the frame. The combination of the biasing member andthe engagement feature may secure the inner scraper in a substantiallyfixed position relative to the opener disc. Because the scraper assemblyincludes an inner scraper and an outer scraper, accumulated soil may beremoved from both sides of the opener disc, thereby enhancing theaccuracy and efficiency of the seed path/trench forming process. Inaddition, because the inner scraper and the biasing member are notdirectly coupled to the frame of the row unit, the inner scraper may beemployed on row unit frames that are only configured to receive outerscraper(s). Accordingly, an inner scraper may be added to an existingrow unit, thereby facilitating removal of accumulated soil from theinner surface of the opener disc, without replacing or modifying the rowunit frame. As a result, the cost associated with adding thefunctionality of an inner scraper may be substantially reduced (e.g., ascompared to replacing the row unit frame with a frame configured toreceive an inner scraper).

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a row unit 12 (e.g.,agricultural row unit) that may be employed on the agriculturalimplement of FIG. 1. The row unit 12 includes a mount 18 configured tosecure the row unit 12 to the tool bar of the agricultural implement. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the mount 18 includes a u-bolt that securesa bracket 20 of the row unit 12 to the tool bar. However, in alternativeembodiments, the mount may include another suitable device that couplesthe row unit to the tool bar. A linkage assembly 22 extends from thebracket 20 to a frame 24 of the row unit 12. The linkage assembly 22 isconfigured to enable vertical movement of the frame 24 relative to thetool bar in response to variations in a soil surface 26. In certainembodiments, a down pressure system (e.g., including a hydraulicactuator, a pneumatic actuator, etc.) may be coupled to the linkageassembly 22 and configured to urge the frame 24 toward the soil surface26. While the illustrated linkage assembly 22 is a parallel linkageassembly (e.g., a four-bar linkage assembly), in alternativeembodiments, another suitable linkage assembly may extend between thebracket and the frame.

The row unit 12 is configured to deposit seeds and/or other agriculturalproduct(s) at a desired depth beneath the soil surface 26 as the rowunit 12 traverses a field along a direction of travel 28. The row unit12 includes an opener assembly 30 that forms a trench in the soil forseed/other agricultural product deposition into the soil. In theillustrated embodiment, the opener assembly 30 includes gauge wheels 32,arms 34 that pivotally couple the gauge wheels 32 to the frame 24, andopener discs 36. The opener discs 36 are configured to excavate a trenchinto the soil, and the gauge wheels 32 are configured to control apenetration depth of the opener discs 36 into the soil. In theillustrated embodiment, the row unit 12 includes a depth control system38 configured to control the vertical position of the gauge wheels 32(e.g., by blocking rotation of the arms in the upward direction beyond aselected orientation), thereby controlling the penetration depth of theopener discs 36 into the soil.

The row unit 12 also includes an agricultural product conveying system(e.g., seed tube or powered agricultural product conveyor) configured todeposit seeds and/or other agricultural product(s) (e.g., fertilizer)into the trench. The opener assembly 30 and the agricultural productconveying system are followed by a closing assembly 40 that movesdisplaced soil back into the trench. In the illustrated embodiment, theclosing assembly 40 includes two closing discs 42. However, inalternative embodiments, the closing assembly may include other closingdevices (e.g., a single closing disc, etc.). In addition, in certainembodiments, the closing assembly may be omitted. In the illustratedembodiment, the closing assembly 40 is followed by a packing assembly 44configured to pack soil on top of the deposited seeds and/or otheragricultural product(s). The packing assembly 44 includes a packer wheel46, an arm 48 that pivotally couples the packer wheel 46 to the frame24, and a biasing member 50 configured to urge the packer wheel 46toward the soil surface 26, thereby enabling the packer wheel to packsoil on top of the deposited seeds and/or other agricultural product(s).While the illustrated biasing member 50 includes a spring, inalternative embodiments, the biasing member may include another suitablebiasing device, such as a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder,among others.

The row unit 12 includes a vacuum seed meter 52 configured to receiveagricultural product (e.g., seeds) from a hopper 54. In certainembodiments, the vacuum seed meter 52 includes a disc having multipleopenings. An air pressure differential between opposite sides of thedisc induces the agricultural product (e.g., seeds) to be capturedwithin the openings. As the disc rotates, the agricultural product isconveyed toward the agricultural product conveying system. When theagricultural product (e.g., seed) is aligned with an inlet to theagricultural product conveying system, the air pressure on each side ofthe disc is substantially equalized (e.g., at the end of a vacuumpassage), thereby enabling the agricultural product (e.g., seed) toenter the agricultural product conveying system (e.g., seed tube orpowered agricultural product conveyor). The agricultural productconveying system then directs the agricultural product to the trench.While the illustrated embodiment includes a vacuum seed meter, inalternative embodiments, other suitable seed/agricultural product metersmay be utilized. As used herein, “vacuum” refers to an air pressure thatis less than the ambient atmospheric air pressure, and not necessarily 0pa.

In the illustrated embodiment, the row unit 12 includes a scraperassembly 56 having an outer scraper 58 (e.g., first outer scraper)coupled to the frame 24 and configured to engage an outer surface of anopener disc 36 (e.g., first disc). Furthermore, as discussed in detailbelow, the scraper assembly 56 includes an inner scraper (e.g., firstinner scraper) configured to engage an inner surface of the opener disc36. The scraper assembly also includes a biasing member engaged with theinner scraper and configured to urge the inner scraper toward the innersurface of the opener disc 36. The inner scraper has an engagementfeature (e.g., at least one protrusion) in contact with the outerscraper 58 to block translational movement of the inner scraper relativeto the frame 24. Because the scraper assembly 56 includes an innerscraper and an outer scraper 58, accumulated soil may be removed fromboth sides of the opener disc 36, thereby enhancing the accuracy andefficiency of the seed path/trench forming process. Furthermore, incertain embodiments, the scraper assembly may include a second innerscraper and a second outer scraper configured to remove accumulated soilfrom a second opener disc of the row unit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the row unit 12 of FIG. 2,including an embodiment of a scraper assembly 56. In the illustratedembodiment, the scraper assembly 56 includes a first outer scraper 58configured to engage an outer surface 60 of a first opener disc 62, andthe scraper assembly 56 includes a first inner scraper 64 configured toengage an inner surface 66 of the first opener disc 62. Furthermore, asdiscussed in detail below, the first outer scraper 58 is coupled to theframe 24 of the row unit 12. The scraper assembly 56 also includes abiasing member 68 that engages the first inner scraper 64 and urges thefirst inner scraper 64 toward the inner surface 66 of the first openerdisc 62. In addition, the first inner scraper 64 has an engagementfeature (e.g., at least one protrusion) in contact with the first outerscraper 58 to block translational movement of the first inner scraper 64relative to the frame 24.

In the illustrated embodiment, the scraper assembly 56 also includes asecond outer scraper 70 coupled to the frame 24 of the row unit 12 andconfigured to engage an outer surface 72 of a second opener disc 74. Inaddition, the scraper assembly 56 includes a second inner scraper 76configured to engage an inner surface 78 of the second opener disc 74.Similar to the first inner scraper 64, the second inner scraper 76 hasan engagement feature (e.g., at least one protrusion) in contact withthe second outer scraper 70 to block translational movement of thesecond inner scraper 76 relative to the frame 24. In addition, thebiasing member 68 engages the second inner scraper 76 and urges thesecond inner scraper 76 toward the inner surface 78 of the second openerdisc 74. As discussed in detail below, the biasing member 68 urges theinner scrapers away from one another, and the combination of the biasingmember and the respective engagement feature secures each inner scraperin a substantially fixed position relative to the respective openerdisc. While the scraper assembly 56 includes two pairs of inner/outerscrapers in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, thescraper assembly may include more or fewer pairs of inner/outer scrapers(e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more). For example, the scraper assembly mayinclude one pair of inner/outer scrapers for each opener disc of the rowunit.

Because the scraper assembly 56 includes an inner scraper and an outerscraper for each opener disc 36, accumulated soil may be removed fromboth the inner surface and the outer surface of each opener disc 36. Asa result, the accuracy and efficiency of the seed path/trench formingprocess may be enhanced (e.g., as compared to a scraper assembly havingonly inner scraper(s) or only outer scraper(s)). In addition, becausethe inner scrapers and the biasing member are not directly coupled tothe frame of the row unit, the inner scrapers may be employed on rowunit frames that are only configured to receive outer scraper(s).Accordingly, inner scraper(s) may be added to an existing row unit(e.g., having a frame configured to receive only outer scraper(s)),thereby facilitating removal of accumulated soil from the innersurface(s) of the opener disc(s), without replacing or modifying the rowunit frame. As a result, the cost associated with adding thefunctionality of inner scraper(s) may be substantially reduced (e.g., ascompared to replacing the row unit frame with a frame configured toreceive inner scraper(s)).

FIG. 4 is a side view of the scraper assembly 56 of FIG. 3. Aspreviously discussed, the first outer scraper 58 is coupled to the frame24 of the row unit 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the first outerscraper 58 is coupled to the frame 24 via a mounting system 80. Themounting system 80 includes a first protrusion 82 and a secondprotrusion 84. The first protrusion 82 is configured to engage a firstrecess 86 in the frame 24, and the second protrusion 84 is configured toengage a second recess 88 in the frame 24. The first and secondprotrusions are biased away from one another along a longitudinal axis90 of the row unit 12. Accordingly, contact between the first protrusion82 and the frame 24 at a longitudinal end of the first recess 86 andcontact between the second protrusion 84 and the frame 24 at alongitudinal end of the second recess 88 couples the first outer scraper58 to the frame 24. In addition, contact between the first protrusion 82and the frame 24 at vertical ends of the first recess 86 (e.g., ends ofthe first recess 86 along a vertical axis 92 of the row unit) andcontact between the second protrusion 84 and the frame 24 at verticalends of the second recess 88 (e.g., ends of the second recess 88 alongthe vertical axis 92) blocks rotation of the first outer scraper 58relative to the frame 24 about a lateral axis of the row unit 12 andtranslation of the first outer scraper 58 relative to the frame 24 alongthe vertical axis 92.

While the illustrated mounting system 80 has two protrusions configuredto engage two respective recesses, in other embodiments, the mountingsystem may have more or fewer protrusions (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ormore) configured to engage a corresponding number of recesses. Inaddition, in alternative embodiments, the mounting system may have anyother suitable structure configured to couple the outer scraper to theframe. Furthermore, while the mounting system 80 of the first outerscraper 58 is described above, in certain embodiments, the second outerscraper may be coupled to the frame of the row unit by substantially thesame mounting system. However, in other embodiments, the second outerscraper may be coupled to the frame by a different suitable mountingsystem.

As previously discussed, the biasing member is engaged with the firstinner scraper 64 and urges the first inner scraper 64 toward the innersurface of the first opener disc 62. In addition, the first innerscraper 64 has a first arm 94 and a second arm 96, and the first andsecond arms are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinalaxis 90. As illustrated, the first arm 94 includes an engagementfeature, such as the illustrated first protrusion 98, and the second arm96 includes an engagement feature, such as the illustrated secondprotrusion 100. The first protrusion 98 is engaged with a first aperture102 in the first outer scraper 58, and the second protrusion 100 isengaged with a second aperture 104 in the first outer scraper 58.Contact between the first protrusion 98 and the first outer scraper 58at the first aperture 102 and contact between the second protrusion 100and the first outer scraper 58 at the second aperture 104 blockstranslational movement of the first inner scraper 64 relative to thefirst outer scraper 58 along the vertical axis 92 and along thelongitudinal axis 90. Because translational movement of the first outerscraper 58 relative to the frame 24 along the vertical axis 92 and alongthe longitudinal axis 90 is blocked by the mounting system 80,translational movement of the first inner scraper 64 relative to theframe 24 along the vertical axis 92 and along the longitudinal axis 90is blocked. Because translational movement of the first inner scraper 64relative to the frame 24 is blocked, the position of the first innerscraper 64 relative to the first opener disc 62 along the vertical andlongitudinal axes may be substantially maintained during operation ofthe row unit 12, thereby enabling the first inner scraper 64 toeffectively remove accumulated soil from the inner surface of the firstopener disc 62.

While the first inner scraper 64 has two arms in the illustratedembodiment, in other embodiments, the first inner scraper may have moreor fewer arms (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more), each having at leastone protrusion configured to engage respective aperture(s) in the firstouter scraper to block translational movement of the first inner scraperrelative to the frame. In addition, while the protrusion(s) extends fromarm(s) in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, at least oneprotrusion may extend from another suitable portion of the first innerscraper. Furthermore, while protrusion(s) of the first inner scraperengage respective aperture(s) in the first outer scraper to blocktranslational movement of the first inner scraper relative to the frame,in other embodiments, the first inner scraper may include other and/oradditional engagement feature(s) configured to contact the first outerscraper to block translational movement of the first inner scraperrelative to the frame. For example, in certain embodiments, the firstarm of the first inner scraper may be configured to contact a firstlongitudinal side of the first outer scraper, and the second arm of thefirst inner scraper may be configured to contact a second longitudinalside of the first outer scraper, opposite the first longitudinal side.Contact between the arms and the longitudinal sides of the first outerscraper may block translational movement of the first inner scraperrelative to the frame along the longitudinal axis. While the engagementfeature(s) of the first inner scraper 64 are described above, in certainembodiments, the second inner scraper may have substantially similarengagement features(s) to block translational movement of the secondinner scraper relative to the frame. However, in other embodiments, thesecond inner scraper may have suitable engagement feature(s) differentfrom the engagement feature(s) of the first inner scraper.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the scraper assembly 56 of FIG. 3. Asillustrated, the first outer scraper 58 is in contact with the outersurface 60 of the first opener disc 62, and the first inner scraper 64is in contact with the inner surface 66 of the first opener disc 62.Accordingly, the first outer scraper 58 may remove accumulated soil fromthe outer surface 60 of the first opener disc 62, and the first innerscraper 64 may remove accumulated soil from the inner surface 66 of thefirst opener disc 62. In addition, the second outer scraper 70 is incontact with the outer surface 72 of the second opener disc 74, and thesecond inner scraper 76 is in contact with the inner surface 78 of thesecond opener disc 74. Accordingly, the second outer scraper 70 mayremove accumulated soil from the outer surface 72 of the second openerdisc 74, and the second inner scraper 76 may remove accumulated soilfrom the inner surface 78 of the second opener disc 74.

In the illustrated embodiment, the scraper assembly 56 includes abiasing system 106 coupled to the first outer scraper 58 and to thesecond outer scraper 70. The biasing system 106 is configured to urgethe first outer scraper 58 toward the first opener disc 62 along alateral axis 108 of the row unit 12, and the biasing system 106 isconfigured to urge the second outer scraper 70 toward the second openerdisc 74 along the lateral axis 108. Accordingly, the biasing systemurges contact between the first outer scraper 58 and the outer surface60 of the first opener disc 62 and between the second outer scraper 70and the outer surface 72 of the second opener disc 74. In theillustrated embodiment, the biasing system 106 includes a coil spring110 having a first end coupled to the first outer scraper 58 and asecond end coupled to the second outer scraper 70. However, in otherembodiments, the biasing system may include other and/or additionalelements configured to urge the outer scrapers toward the respectiveopener discs. For example, the biasing system may include one or morecoil springs, one or more springs of another suitable type (e.g., leafspring(s), etc.), one or more other suitable biasing elements (e.g., anelastic polymeric element, etc.), or a combination thereof. Furthermore,in certain embodiments, the biasing system may include a first biasingelement extending between the frame and the first outer scraper andconfigured to urge the first outer scraper toward the first opener disc,and the biasing system may include a second biasing element extendingbetween the frame and the second outer scraper and configured to urgethe second outer scraper toward the second opener disc.

As previously discussed, the first inner scraper 64 has a firstprotrusion 98 extending from the first arm 94 and a second protrusion100 extending from the second arm 96. The first protrusion 98 is engagedwith the first aperture 102 in the first outer scraper 58, and thesecond protrusion 100 is engaged with the second aperture 104 in thefirst outer scraper 58. Contact between the first protrusion 98 and thefirst outer scraper 58 at the first aperture 102 and contact between thesecond protrusion 100 and the first outer scraper 58 at the secondaperture 104 blocks translational movement of the first inner scraper 64relative to the frame 24 along the vertical axis 92 and along thelongitudinal axis 90. In the illustrated embodiment, the first arm 94has a bent portion 112, and the second arm 96 has a bent portion 114. Asillustrated, the first protrusion 98 extends from the bent portion 112of the first arm 94, and the second protrusion 100 extends from the bentportion 114 of the second arm 96. In addition, a top surface of eachbent portion contacts the frame 24 of the row unit 12 to blocktranslational movement of the first inner scraper 64 relative to theframe 24 along the vertical axis 92. As used herein, “contacts theframe” refers to contact between the arm and any suitable portion of theframe (e.g., including elements rigidly coupled to a main structure ofthe frame). While each arm has a bent portion in the illustratedembodiment, in other embodiments, the bent portion may be omitted fromat least one arm of the first inner scraper. Furthermore, in theillustrated embodiment, each arm of the second inner scraper 76 has arespective bent portion and protrusion. However, in other embodiments,the bent portion and/or protrusion may be omitted from at least one armof the second inner scraper. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, atleast one protrusion of the second inner scraper may extend from anothersuitable portion of the second inner scraper.

As previously discussed, the biasing member 68 engages the first innerscraper 64 and the second inner scraper 76. The biasing member 68 urgesthe first inner scraper 64 toward the inner surface 66 of the firstopener disc 62, and the biasing member 68 urges the second inner scraper76 toward the inner surface 78 of the second opener disc 74. In theillustrated embodiment, the biasing member 68 includes a wire spring.However, in other embodiments, the biasing member may include any othersuitable spring (e.g., a coil spring) configured to urge each innerscraper toward the inner surface of the respective opener disc.Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the biasing member may includeother and/or additional biasing device(s), such as pneumaticcylinder(s), hydraulic cylinder(s), resilient material(s), etc. Inaddition, while the illustrated embodiment includes a biasing member 68configured to urge the inner scrapers away from one another, in otherembodiments, the scraper assembly may include a first biasing memberextending between the first inner scraper and a suitable structurefixedly coupled to the row unit frame (e.g., a mount, etc.), and asecond biasing member extending between the second inner scraper and asuitable structure fixedly coupled to the row unit frame (e.g., themount, another mount, etc.). In such embodiments, each biasing membermay urge the respective inner scraper toward the respective opener disc.Urging each inner scraper toward the respective opener disc (e.g., viaone or more biasing members) enables the inner scraper to removeaccumulated soil from the inner surface of the respective opener disc.In addition, because each inner scraper is urged toward the respectiveopener disc, contact between the inner scraper and the respective openerdisc may be substantially maintained during operation of the row unit(e.g., as compared to an inner scraper that is fixed to the frame andwears over time, thereby establishing a gap between the inner scraperand the respective opener disc).

Because the scraper assembly 56 includes an inner scraper and an outerscraper for each opener disc 36, accumulated soil may be removed fromboth the inner surface and the outer surface of each opener disc 36. Asa result, the accuracy and efficiency of the seed path/trench formingprocess may be enhanced (e.g., as compared to a scraper assembly havingonly inner scrapers or only outer scrapers). In addition, because theinner scrapers and the biasing member are not directly coupled to theframe of the row unit, the inner scrapers may be employed on row unitframes that are only configured to receive outer scrapers. Accordingly,inner scrapers may be added to an existing row unit (e.g., having aframe configured to receive only outer scrapers), thereby facilitatingremoval of accumulated soil from the inner surfaces of the opener discs,without replacing or modifying the row unit frame. As a result, the costassociated with adding the functionality of inner scrapers may besubstantially reduced (e.g., as compared to replacing the row unit framewith a frame configured to receive inner scrapers). Furthermore, becausethe combination of the biasing member and the engagement feature (e.g.,the protrusions) secures each inner scraper in a substantially fixedposition relative to the respective opener disc, the inner scrapers maybe installed without the use of tools (e.g., by engaging the engagementfeature of each inner scraper with the respective outer scraper anddisposing the biasing member between the inner scrapers), therebyfurther reducing the cost associated with adding inner scrapers to a rowunit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the scraper assembly 56 ofFIG. 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the coil spring 110 of thebiasing system 106 has a first end 116 coupled to the first outerscraper 58 and a second end 118 coupled to the second outer scraper. Inthe illustrated embodiment, each end of the coil spring 110 forms a hookconfigured to engage a bar 120 of the respective outer scraper.Accordingly, the coil spring 110 urges the outer scrapers toward oneanother, and toward the respective opener discs, along the lateral axis108. In the illustrated embodiment, the first arm 94 and the second arm96 of the first inner scraper 64 form a gap 122 that enables the coilspring 110 to pass through the first inner scraper 64 to the first outerscraper 58. In certain embodiments, the arms of the second inner scraperalso form a gap that enables the coil spring to pass through the secondinner scraper to the second outer scraper.

As previously discussed, the biasing member 68 includes a wire spring.In the illustrated embodiment, the wire spring has a first bent portion124 and a second bent portion 126. As illustrated, the first bentportion 124 of the wire spring engages a first opening 128 in the firstinner scraper 64. In addition, the second bent portion 126 of the wirespring is configured to engage a first opening in the second innerscraper. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, a first distal end130 of the wire spring is engaged with a second opening 132 in the firstinner scraper 64, and a second distal end 134 of the wire spring isconfigured to engage a second opening in the second inner scraper. Thewire spring urges the inner scrapers away from one another, therebyurging each inner scraper toward the inner surface of the respectiveopener disc. The combination of the biasing member 68 and theprotrusions/apertures secures each inner scraper in a substantiallyfixed position relative to the opener disc/frame of the row unit.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a portion of the scraper assembly 56 ofFIG. 3. As previously discussed, the first bent portion 124 of the wirespring is configured to engage the first opening 128 in the first innerscraper 64, and the first distal end 130 of the wire spring isconfigured to engage the second opening 132 in the first inner scraper64. As illustrated, the first opening 128 is elongated along thevertical axis 92. Accordingly, while the first bent portion 124 of thewire spring is disposed within the first opening 128, contact betweenthe wire spring and the first inner scraper 64 at the first opening 128blocks rotation of the wire spring relative to the first inner scraper64 (e.g., about the lateral axis 108). In addition, contact between thefirst distal end 130 of the wire spring and the first inner scraper 64at the second opening 132 also blocks rotation of the wire springrelative to the first inner scraper 64 (e.g., about the lateral axis108). Because the wire spring is configured to engage the second innerscraper via the bent portion/first opening and the distal end/secondopening, rotation of the inner scrapers relative to one another (e.g.,about the lateral axis 108) may be substantially blocked, therebyenhancing the stability of the inner scrapers during operation of therow unit.

While the illustrated wire spring includes a bent portion and theillustrated inner scraper includes a corresponding elongated firstopening, in other embodiments, the wire spring may include a protrusionconfigured to engage a first opening (e.g., a circular or polygonalopening) in the inner scraper. In such an embodiment, contact betweenthe protrusion and the inner scraper at the first opening and contactbetween the first distal end of the wire spring and the inner scraper atthe second opening may block rotation of the wire spring relative to theinner scraper (e.g., about the lateral axis). Furthermore, in certainembodiments, the second opening of the inner scraper may be omitted. Insuch embodiments, the wire spring may engage the inner scraper only atthe elongated first opening. While the first bent portion of the wirespring is disposed within the elongated first opening, contact betweenthe wire spring and the inner scraper at the elongated first openingblocks rotation of the wire spring relative to the inner scraper (e.g.,about the lateral axis). In further embodiments, the biasing member(e.g., wire spring) may have any other and/or additional suitablefeature(s) configured to engage corresponding feature(s) (e.g., opening,recess, etc.) of the inner scraper (e.g., to enable the biasing memberto urge the inner scraper toward the respective opening disc and/or toblock rotation of the biasing member relative to the inner scraper).

In the illustrated embodiment, the first arm 94 has a bent portion 112,and the second arm 96 has a bent portion 114. As previously discussed, atop surface of each bent portion is configured to contact the frame ofthe row unit to block translational movement of the first inner scraper64 relative to the frame along the vertical axis 92. In the illustratedembodiment, the first protrusion 98 is formed on the bent portion 112 ofthe first arm 94, and the second protrusion 100 is formed on the bentportion 114 of the second arm 96. As previously discussed, the firstprotrusion 98 is configured to engage the first aperture 102 in thefirst outer scraper 58, and the second protrusion 100 is configured toengage the second aperture 104 in the first outer scraper 58. Contactbetween the first protrusion 98 and the first outer scraper 58 at thefirst aperture 102 and contact between the second protrusion 100 and thefirst outer scraper 58 at the second aperture 104 blocks translationalmovement of the first inner scraper 64 relative to the first outerscraper 58 along the vertical axis 92 and along the longitudinal axis90. While each illustrated bent portion includes a respective protrusionin the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the protrusion maybe omitted from at least one bent portion. In addition, in certainembodiments, at least one protrusion may extend from (e.g., at least onerespective bent portion of) the second inner scraper and engage at leastone corresponding aperture of the second outer scraper.

While the illustrated inner scraper has protrusions configured toengagement respective apertures in the outer scraper to blocktranslational movement of the inner scraper relative to the frame, inother embodiments, the inner scraper may have other and/or additionalengagement features configured to block translational movement of theinner scraper relative to the frame. For example, the inner scraper mayinclude at least one arm (e.g., engagement feature) configured tocontact a side of the outer scraper to block translational movement ofthe inner scraper relative to the frame (e.g., along the longitudinalaxis). Alternatively or additionally, the inner scraper may include afastener (e.g., engagement feature) configured to engage an aperture inthe outer scraper to block translational movement of the inner scraperrelative to the frame. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the outerscraper may include a protrusion configured to engage an aperture (e.g.,engagement feature) in the inner scraper to block translational movementof the inner scraper relative to the frame. Alternatively oradditionally, the outer scraper may include a fastener configured toengage an aperture (e.g., engagement feature) in the inner scraper toblock translational movement of the inner scraper relative to the frame.In addition, in certain embodiments, the outer scraper may have at leastone arm configured to contact at least one respective side (e.g.,engagement feature) of the inner scraper to block translational movementof the inner scraper relative to the frame. While the scraper assemblydisclosed above is described with reference to opener discs, in certainembodiments, the scraper assembly may be utilized to remove accumulatedsoil from other suitable ground engaging discs (e.g., coulter discs,tillage discs, etc.).

Furthermore, the scraper assembly may include certain featuresconfigured to control rotation of the inner scraper about thelongitudinal axis relative to the outer scraper/row unit frame. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, the bent portions of the arms ofthe inner scraper 64 are configured to contact the outer scraper 58,thereby establishing a pivot point for the inner scraper 64 about thelongitudinal axis 90. Accordingly, the inner scraper 64 may rotate aboutthe longitudinal axis 90 at the pivot point (e.g., against the force ofthe biasing member 68) during operation of the row unit (e.g., inresponse to movement/deformation of the opener disc and/or interactionwith the accumulated soil on the opener disc).

While only certain features have been illustrated and described herein,many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art.It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intendedto cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the truespirit of the disclosure.

The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and appliedto material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature thatdemonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are notabstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claimsappended to the end of this specification contain one or more elementsdesignated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for[perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements areto be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claimscontaining elements designated in any other manner, it is intended thatsuch elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

1. A scraper assembly of an agricultural row unit, comprising: an inner scraper configured to engage an inner surface of a disc; and a biasing member engaged with the inner scraper and configured to urge the inner scraper toward the inner surface of the disc; wherein the inner scraper has an engagement feature configured to contact an outer scraper to block translational movement of the inner scraper relative to a frame of the agricultural row unit.
 2. The scraper assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is not directly coupled to the frame of the agricultural row unit, and the inner scraper is not directly coupled to the frame of the agricultural row unit.
 3. The scraper assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing member comprises a wire spring.
 4. The scraper assembly of claim 3, wherein the wire spring has a bent portion, the inner scraper has a first opening, and the bent portion of the wire spring engages the first opening of the inner scraper.
 5. The scraper assembly of claim 4, wherein the inner scraper has a second opening, and a distal end of the wire spring extends into the second opening.
 6. The scraper assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagement feature comprises a protrusion configured to engage a respective aperture in the outer scraper to block translational movement of the inner scraper relative to the frame of the agricultural row unit.
 7. The scraper assembly of claim 6, wherein the protrusion extends from an arm of the inner scraper.
 8. The scraper assembly of claim 7, wherein the arm has a bent portion, the protrusion extends from the bent portion, and a top surface of the bent portion is configured to contact the frame of the agricultural row unit to block translational movement of the inner scraper relative to the frame of the agricultural row unit.
 9. A scraper assembly of an agricultural row unit, comprising: an inner scraper configured to engage an inner surface of a disc; an outer scraper configured to engage an outer surface of the disc, wherein the outer scraper is configured to couple to a frame of the agricultural row unit; and a biasing member engaged with the inner scraper and configured to urge the inner scraper toward the inner surface of the disc; wherein the inner scraper has an engagement feature in contact with the outer scraper to block translational movement of the inner scraper relative to the frame of the agricultural row unit.
 10. The scraper assembly of claim 9, wherein the biasing member comprises a wire spring.
 11. The scraper assembly of claim 10, wherein the wire spring has a bent portion, the inner scraper has a first opening, and the bent portion of the wire spring engages the first opening of the inner scraper.
 12. The scraper assembly of claim 11, wherein the inner scraper has a second opening, and a distal end of the wire spring extends into the second opening.
 13. The scraper assembly of claim 9, wherein the engagement feature comprises at least one arm having a protrusion engaged with a respective aperture in the outer scraper to block translational movement of the inner scraper relative to the frame of the agricultural row unit.
 14. The scraper assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one arm has a bent portion, the protrusion extends from the bent portion, and a top surface of the bent portion is configured to contact the frame of the agricultural row unit to block translational movement of the inner scraper relative to the frame of the agricultural row unit.
 15. An agricultural row unit, comprising: a frame configured to rotatably support a first disc; and a scraper assembly, comprising: a first inner scraper configured to engage an inner surface of the first disc; a first outer scraper coupled to the frame and configured to engage an outer surface of the first disc; and a biasing member engaged with the first inner scraper and configured to urge the first inner scraper toward the inner surface of the first disc; wherein the first inner scraper has an engagement feature in contact with the first outer scraper to block translational movement of the first inner scraper relative to the frame.
 16. The agricultural row unit of claim 15, wherein the frame is configured to rotatably support a second disc, the scraper assembly comprises a second inner scraper configured to engage an inner surface of the second disc, and the biasing member is engaged with the second inner scraper and configured to urge the second inner scraper toward the inner surface of the second disc.
 17. The agricultural row unit of claim 16, wherein the scraper assembly comprises a second outer scraper coupled to the frame and configured to engage an outer surface of the second disc, and the second inner scraper has an engagement feature in contact with the second outer scraper to block translational movement of the second inner scraper relative to the frame.
 18. The agricultural row unit of claim 17, wherein the scraper assembly comprises a biasing system coupled to the first outer scraper and to the second outer scraper, and the biasing system is configured to urge the first outer scraper toward the outer surface of the first disc and the second outer scraper toward the outer surface of the second disc.
 19. The agricultural row unit of claim 15, wherein the biasing member comprises a wire spring.
 20. The agricultural row unit of claim 19, wherein the wire spring has a bent portion, the first inner scraper has a first opening and a second opening, the bent portion of the wire spring engages the first opening of the first inner scraper, and a distal end of the wire spring extends into the second opening of the first inner scraper. 